The National President of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG), Professor Mamudu Akudugu, has confirmed that their decision to suspend the anti-galamsey strike on October 29 was solely motivated by concern for students, not by any external pressure.
He emphasized that the action was a calculated move to protect the students’ academic journey, balancing their role in shaping future leaders with the need for responsible opposition to the galamsey menace.
Prof. Akudugu remarked that while the future impact of government actions against galamsey remains uncertain, UTAG could not overlook its responsibility to prevent further disruptions to the academic calendar, already strained by COVID-19 delays.
He expressed UTAG’s resolve during an interview on ABC earlier, stressing their commitment to both education and responsible advocacy.
Background
The national Secretariat of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) has announced a suspension of the indefinite strike actions but awaits the affirmation or otherwise from all members of the Association through voting.
It is recalled that UTAG initiated a nationwide strike action on October 10, 2024, calling on the government to take decisive steps in dealing with the existential danger posed by the menace of illegal mining, popularly referred to as galamsey.
As part of their demands, UTAG maintained that government repeal the LI 2464 that gives permission for mining in forest reserves. This request remains paramount as UTAG explains that, the reckless mining in forest reserves and water bodies has affected the quality of food crops as well as aquatic lives, leading to deformation on offspring’s of persons who have consumed products from the highly chemicalised mining communities.
In a letter dated, October 24, 2024, UTAG stated, “beyond our demand for the government to ban mining and prospecting in forest reserves, farms, and water bodies, we also called for the speedy revocation of the environmental Protection (Mining in forest reserves) regulation 2022 (L.I. 2464) and requested the government to expand the scope of its task force to include forest reserves in the fight against illegal mining.”
However, UTAG maintains that, the welfare of their students is paramount to the Assoctaion, hence, the need to go back to the lecture halls to render their services to their students. UTAG, thus, calls on all its members to resume work effective Tuesday, October 29, 2024, and seeks members’ affirmation or otherwise of the directive.
“In light of these, NIEC after thorough deliberations, has suspended the strike action effective Tuesday, 29th October 2024, and is seeking members’ affirmation or otherwise of this directive,” UTAG stated.
